Condensation separator and collector



Jan. 16, )1923.

C. K'. LASSITER ET AL.

CoNDl-:NsArroN SEPARATOR AND COLLECTOR.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I Fl LED MAY l0. 1922.

Jaim. 116 11923@ lAf--ZASZ C. K. LASSITER ET AL. CoNDENsAnoN SEPARATOR AND CoLLEc-roR.

FILED MAY IO. 1922. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 @Hornet Fam B6, E923, LZASZ C. K. LASSITER ET AL.

CoNDENsAIJoN SEPARArRvAND CoLLEcToR.

FILED MAY l0, |922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 atto: new

retienen tee. ie, iena entretenerse PATENT @FFHCO CQILUMBUS K. LASSITER AND JTULEUS KINDERVATER, @1? YDRK, N; Y.

oonnnltsarronsnranaron ann oonnncroze.

' appncaaon mea nay 1o,

To ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, COLUMBUS K. `lLAs- .srrnn and JULIUs KINDERVATER, citizens of the United States, residing at N ew York in 5 the county of New York and State of l ew York, have invented new and useful lmprovements in Condensation Separators and Collectors, of which the following is a speciication.'

This invention relates to condensation separatorsand collectors for use in the steam supply systems of locomotives for thep-urpose ot separating from the steam passing fromthe steam generator orboiler to the locomotive cylinders any water of condensation which may be deposited in the intercom necting Asteam supply passages, or any water which ma under certain conditions be drawn ormjected into said passages :trom 2o the wete space of the boiler.

. For purpose of eXemp-liication, and as disclosing cnet-inode of practical. application ofthe invention, wehave herein shown and described the invention as used particularly upon a locomotive :oil the well-known superheater type, although 'it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, as it vmay also beused upon locomotives of the saturated steam type." i

Asis well known to those versed inthe art, considerable' expense and inconvenience is experienced from water accumulating in the dry and superheater pipes of a locomotive of the snperheater type when the loco` e5 motive has been standing4 for some time. lt 1s assumed that'lealiy throttle valves are pr1- marilythe'cause of thlscondensation, which is more pronounced-the longer the locomotive.

stands, and usually results in extensive damage to 'the cylinders. Vl/lfh'en 'the locomotive is standing the damperissupposed tobe in a closed position, cutting all draught 'through the allies, thas avo" g the possibility or burned snperheater i' The teinperatwreV being considerably" lowered when the draughtiszthu's cnt of; any lealtagel through the throttle willv condense "in the snperheater units and theflonger..thelocomd tive stands l the ate'rfcondensation, Upon opening-the .throttle the alccn'niiilolt ot water, isoro'ed into'gthe cylinderalaiidthe piston' on makingthe maximum'-efndstron` pockets-the water, causing the breakage of cylinders."

llt is alsowell known that,

thmeh @aref raza. serial no. atenas.

ing or other causes, water is sometimes injected into the steam passages through the` open throttle from the water space of the boiler when the locomotive is in operation, which may `occur' in a locomotive of either type mentioned, with consequent liability ol" injury to the cylinders.

@ne object of our invention is to provide a'novel .and improved construction of separator, formed on and as partof a steam admission pipe, and having a separating action of a character to ensure a maximum degree ot separation ol the water from the steam, whereby only reasonably dry sam will bel allowed to enter the cylinder under any and all conditions of service, thus obviating iliability of damage to the cylinders.

Another object of the linvention is to provide means for heating and regenerating into steam forservice use all o-r a large proportion of the separated water oi" condensa tion, thus ensuring economy of operation and wholly or largely preventing water waste. i

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel pressure-controlled automatic relief-valve for governing the flow of the separated water of condensation from the .separator to the aforesaid heating means for its conversion into steam and return to the steam line, or its discharge from the separator to the 'exterior of the locomotive asv-faste water, according' to dililerent phases or conditions or@ service in the operation of the en 'neftill another object 'of the invention is to provide a condensation separator and collector which is adapted itc-r use with equal 'traeignre l is view, pari-ly in side elevation and partly in vertical longitudinal section, o 'l7 the forward portion or a locomotive ,equipped with our invention.

.F1 nre Q is a vertical transversejsection through the smoke-bon y.lo-ching 'troni the e @iront rearwznnlly toward the steam adiniesionpi'pes 'and front tine sheet, and showing one otthest'eamadmission pipes in elevaand the other partially' in section.,

-course of steam supply.

Figure 9 is a generally similar view illustrating the action of the automatic reliefaction when the steam flow is cut off.

Referring now Inoreparticularly to the drawings,.1 designates the boiler shell, 2 the front flue sheet, 3 the smoke-box, 4. the smoke-stack, 5 the dry-pipe, 6 the header,

and 7 the smoke-dues or fire-tubes of a locomotive of the character described. rlhe hea-der 6 is arranged, as usual, in the smokeboX 3 and is provided with a steam-inlet 8 connected with the dry-pipe 5, and with steam-outlets 9 connected with the steamadmission pipes l() leading therefrom to theA engine cylinders 11. 12 are the superheater tubes or units, of which any suitable number may be employed, arranged within a corresponding number of the flues 7, the inlet and outlet ends (generally indicated at 13) of which units 12 communicate with the saturated and superheated steam chambers of the header 6. The parts above-described are shown as essential in order to illustrate the application of the invention, the damper and other parts commonly employed being omitted as unessential to a full and complete disclosure of the invention.

In carrying our invention into prac-tice, we provide means arranged in the line of flow\ of the steam from the steam boiler or generator to the steam chest of each cylinder for separating and converting into steam or discharging tol the exterior of the locomotive, any water of condensation, or other water, which may be owing toward the cylinder with the steam. The means provided for this purpose preferably comprises a separator and collector arranged wlthin each steam admission pipe 10 and forming a component part thereof. The separatorA and collector arranged within each pipe l0 is generally indicated at 14 and is preferably cast with the pipe and formed as an expanded portion thereof. As shown, said separator and collector is arranged in each pipe 10 between the goosenecked inlet end 15 thereof, which connects with the associated header outlet 9, and the outlet end 16 thereof, which connects with the associated cylinder 11. The body of the` separator is constructed to providea longitudinal steam chamber 17 and a longitufpassage 21 the two chambers 17 and 18l are separated and closed against communica-4 tion with each other by a partition wall 22. This partition wall 22 has its upper end portion arranged to form the bottoni of the pas--` sage 21, and said end portion is curved or inclined in an upward and forward direct-ion toward the chamber 17 to form a deflector-baifle 23. Between this delectorbaiiie 23 and the downwardly and forwardly curved wall 24, extending from the inlet 15 to the front wall of chamber 17, and which forms a top Wallcommon to both chambers 17` and 18, is arranged a series of baffles, coniprising one or more baiile plates 25, dlrectly arranged Within the'passage 21, and a top deflector-baflle 26 integral with the wall 24. The baffles 25 are preferably straight and parallel with each other and with the baflies 23 and' 26 and incline at such an angle to the vertical plane of the passage 21, as to form,' with the deflections 23 and 26, a series of superposed overlapping baile plates or walls which prevent the direct horizontal flow of steam and Water from the top portion of chamber 18 to the top portion of chamber 17, and which separate the cross passage 21 into a series of relatively smaller straight and parallel cross passages. These smaller cross passages are, as shown, inclined upwardly and forwardly between the two chambers 18 and 17, in a direction toward the forward convexly-curved portion 27 of wall 2A which directly forms the top of chamber 17, thus causing the steam entering through the throat to flow well down into the chamber 18 before it can flow through the passage 21 into the chamber 17. In addition, the deflector 26, which is curved on a slight arc in a direction downwardly and rearwardly toward the rear wall of chamber 18, tends to deflect the fluid entering through the throat 20, in such direction, i. e., in a direction away from the passage 21. As a result, the direct How of steam from the throat 20 to the chamber 17 will be prevented, and the steam will be caused to pass an appreciable distance down into the chamber 18 before it can ow upwardly therefrom into the top of the chamber 17. The purpose of this is to prevent the direct, immediate and forceful jetting of portions of water, under pressure of the steam` or direct ow of steam impregnated with free moisture, through the passage 21, and to secure a reduction of velocity of the incassa steam andsits im ingement againstthe'bafdes and Wall sur acesfor a sufficient, though brief, period of time to eect a very desirable and ecient physical separati-on oit the moisture' from the steam. At the'same time a' plurality of superposed inclined passages, lying ina common vertical plane, are

formed which allow! the` steam to How. uickly and directly from one chamber to t e othenand a VenetianLblind type of separator, composed of vane-like surfaces,l is

providedv to ensure Athe rapid and eicientseparation of the greater proportion of even the-smallest particles .of free moisture from the steam and the "deiie'ction of such moisture .into the chamber 18'.

F rom the foregoing it willbe' understood that the steam passing trom' the outlet@ of the header 6 with-an water-of condensation, or other water whic with, into the inletl end, 15 ont the vpipe 10,

will tlow' downward into the' throat v20rof" saidv separator andcollector, the steamipass# ing through thel spacesl between the 'baes 23, 25 and 26 into'- the chamber 1-7, whilev the water willV flow either directlyvdown- Ward into thechamber 18 or stri e against" the b'ames 'aindbe conducted thereby down 'into ,said chamber 18. 'As' a result the steam.- in a'reasonablyvdry 'state will flow through the, outlet 16 off the steam' ad# mission pipe to the' steam chest of the cylinder, while'th'e-waterwill be retained and collected in the pocket or trap 19.

By' this means the passage of any material for dangerous quantity or water to the cylinder will be prevented and liability of damage tothe cylinder obviated. y I

llt will be observed that in our separator, constructed as above-described, the separatfing Achamber ,(Water chamber) "18'y is-"disposed in rear ofthe steamfchamber" 17 in the direction of steam owpthevdevice ditiering in this -respect from prior separators of generally similar type, in which the? water chamberis arranged in advance'v of the steam 'chambenbausing the steam vto be checked 'consifdeiably` in its passage Vand i incident to other separators i-njwhich 'the'. chambers `are arranged 1n 'reverse order to.' securepcertam advantages in to reverse its 'direction ont motion l,and take a course of flow from ltheront water-cham'- ber throughl the cross passage into the rear steamchamber. ur pur ose. in Yso arranging the-twojchambers 1. and ,18 incur` device is togovercome certain objections thereto, and

- function-andv result, as follows:

First.' in a separator in ,which the steam liows intoA a `iront separating (water) chamber, and, 1s compelled' to reverse its'- course of travel 11n order to vpasslnto a rear steam chamber, an Iincreased degree of agitation or the1 steam occurs.' This. unduly checks the :'dow' of the steam andresultsi'n or the steam and water battles and trickle down the wail intothepocket'19. ,u

- rThird. The describedv disposition or the the agitation. of the wat/er in the Water compartment, interfering in a large measure with 'the deposit of moisture, as a resultof which portions of the moisture, are carried over withthev steam into the steam chamber and. pass -therewith tothe cylinder., Uur construction overcomes this objection as the travel of the steam is along its natura course and the 'only agitation producedv Eis that causedI by the 'steam striking the battles,

Awhich is but slight and not'suiiicient to vseriously obstruct its flow, and isvmoreov'er 'i beneficial in promoting physical separation .by impingement against the baes. v Y

; Second.v ln separat/orsof this type, where the steam and `water enter throughv a restricted goose-necked inlet at some considery int/o `a'chamber or relatively larger size', isv

.to take Vaf backward course by reaction, in.V .which it dashes against the rear wall of the The admission of' chamber which it enters. the liuidcolumn from a goose-necked orilice able velocity, the tendency of the fluid column,'in discharging from a narrow oriice int/'o a iront water chamber, connected at its top bya' cross passage with a rear steam chamber, is therefore productive of a serious ,objection in that Aa 'quantity of the water,

under force of the steam pressure, is liable to be injected through the cross passage int/o the steam chamber.. This is particularly liable to occur when the water, as sometimes happens, is lin someA considerable quantity, andthe condition is aggravated by the usev of an unprotected cross passage, ine., a fullyyopen passage unguarded by bafiesor other barriers. i @ur construction 4eilectually overcomes this objection and 'secures increased separating eiliciency, inasmuch as the dashingy of the water by reaction against the rear wall ofthe chamber 18 facilitates its separation from vthe steam and the baiiles guard the passage 2l against the entrance of anyv 'material amount o'water into chamber 17. Furthermore, the steam and wate-r'tal'e their ing without substantial impedance into the steam chamber, while the water, owing to its greater specic gravity, tends to fall directly'into 4the pocket 19 and any moisture carrieclby the steam will be arresmd by the surfaces water chamber provides"'for keeping the water therein at a high temperature to iacilitate its conversion into steam, a materal advantage when it is desired to reconvert the i water 'or' condensation into steam for water conservation.

n l 0 We provide means for taking care or the vvwater otcondensation collected in the trap 19,snch means serving to convert the major lnornrial 'courses of i'low, accordingto their respective specic gravities, the steam iciowportion of the water into steam and to conduct such steam to the steam line for use, and to discharge any small quantity of water not so used as waste upon the exterior of the locomotive. As shown, a heating (steam generating) coil 28 is employed, which is disposed in one of the fire-tubesI 7 so as t0 be heated by the products of combustion passing through it. This coil may be similar in form and construction to any ordinary four-pipe superheater tube or unit. The Water inlet e-nd 29 of said coil communicates with the trap 19 of the Water chamber 18, while the steam delivery end 30 of the coil communicates with the same chamber 18 at a higher level than the coil end 29, preferably at an elevation above the highest Water level. Arranged in rear of the base of chamber 18 is an automatic reliefvalve comprising a casing 31 having at its top a lateral inlet 32 communicating with the water trap 19, and having at its bottom an outlet 33. Between said inlet and outlet is a valve seat 34, against which is adapted to close a vertically movable valve 35, normally held open and in raised position above the valve seat by a spring 36. This valve is so arranged as to close under fluid pressure against its top face exceeding the expansive force of its opening spring 36. A drain pipe 37 leads from the outlet 33 through the smoke-box shell for the discharge of any waste water at one side of and upon the exterio-r of the locomotive.

The operation of this part of our invention is as follows:

When the locomotive throttle valve is open, the condensed water is injected, as previously described, into the water chamber 18 of the combined steamv pipe and separato-r. The pressure being on topof the automatic relief-valve 35, said valve is closed against the resistance of spring 36, and al1 the condensed water which may be in the superheaters or the dry pipe is, therefore, injected into the water chamber 18. As long as the throttle is open, this water is circu-A lated through the coil 28 and is generated into steam, the steam being liberated at a point htly above the maximum water fore enclosed and n practice, this valve may be disposed adjacent to and in line with an opening 38 in the side of the smoke-box, to permit quick and convenient access thereto in case of repairs, this opening 38 being normally 4closed by a removable cover plate 39.

In practice, as stated, the separator and collector 14 is preferably cast with and as a component part of the steam admission pipe 10, but obviously it may be formed separately from the inlet and outlet ends of said pipe and bolted or otherwise suitably coupled thereto. Also, as stated, while the invention is particularly shown and described herein as applied to a locomotive of the superheated steam type, it may be employed in an obvious manner and with equal eiiciency in connection with a locomotive of the saturated steam type; Except when parltypes of locomotives.

Having thus fully described our invention, we claim 1. In a locomotive, the combination of a steam generator; a cylinder; a steam supply pipe connecting the steam generator and the cylinder; and a separator disposed in said pipe and comprising a casing having a rear vertically arranged separating chamber communicatin at its upper end with the pipe inlet and aving a water collecting trap at its lower end, a front vertically arranged steam chamber communicating .at its lower end with the pipe outlet, a curved upper wall extending forwardly a-nd downwardly 'from the top of said inlet to the front wall of the steam chamber and forming a top wall common to both chambers, a vertical partition between said chambers terminating at its upper edge below said curved top wall and forming an intervening main cross passage in vertlcal a-linement therewith for the forward flow ofst,eam from the top of the separating chamber to the topof the steam chamber, and a vertical seriesv of spaced baille plates arranged in superposed and level in t e chamber 18 and passing there-flapping relation in said main passage and from into the steam chamber 17. In vthe event that the throttle valve is closed, and

any water remains 'in the water chamber 18 the valve 35, being relieved of steam pressure, will be o ned by spring 36, and the water will drain from lthe water chamber outward through pipe 37.

This device provides for generation into steam of the major portion of the water of condensation, which would `ordinarily be allowed to go to waste. It will -be observed that the valve is entirely automatic in character and, in the arrangement dlsclosed, is arranged within the smoke-box 3 and therewater trap at its lower end, a -front vertii' curved top wall and forming a transverse passage in vertical alinement with said partition for the'torward flow of steam from the top of' the separating chamber to the top of the 'steam chamber, a downwardly andrearwardly inclined deiector-bae o n the curved top wall, an upwardly and forwardly inclined deiiector-baile at the upper edge oi the partition, and inclined bao lates in said passage betweensaid deflectorames.

3. .ln a locomotive, the combination of a steam generator, a cylinder, a steam pipe for supplying steam from the generator the cylinder,ga separator in said steam pipe .having afrear separating chamber `and a 'front steam chamber, said rear separating chamber being in communication at its upper endwith the pipe inlet and provided at its lower end lwith a valved outlet, and said front vsteam chamber being in communication aty its upper end through a transverse pas-A sage with said separatingchamber 'and in communication at its lower end with the cyllnder, and a vertical series ot spaced and 4superposed and lapping bao plates guarding said passage, said baille plates being inclined at an upward and forward angle to the l vertical plane of the passage.

d. lin a locomotive,'the combination oi a A steam generator, aicylinder, a steam supply pipe connecting the steam generator and the cylinder, said pipe having an inlet end and a goose-necked outlet end, and' a separatori,

disposed in said pipe between said ends, said separator comprising a vertical steam ch a ber upon the forward portion of' the pipe communicating at itslower end withthe outlet end ofthe pipe, a vertical separating chamber. upon the'rear'portion oi the pipe and having a water trap at its lower end and communicating at its upper end with the inlet end ot the pipe, said chambers being connectedat their upper ends by a cross passage'ior the forward flow of steam from the f separating chamber to the steam chamber,

`a downwardly and forwardly curvedl wall 'connecting the top of the goosenecked inlet with the iront wall of the steam chamber and orming'a top wall. commento both chambers, said top wall overlying said crosspassaga means for discharging 'collected water from the trap, and a vertical series oi spaced'bae plates guarding-said cross ipassage inclined at an upward and forward angle tothe vertical "plane of said passage.

5.' ln a locomotive',l the combination oa steam generator, ancylinder, a'steam supply acca 5 pipe connecting the steam generator and the cylinder, and a separator vdisposed in said pipe between the inlet and exit ends thereof,

and communicating at its upper endv upper baille member inclined downwardly c and rearwardly toward the rear'wall of the separating chamber, a lower baille member inclined upwardly and iforwardlytoward the front wall of the steam chamber, andv one or more intermediate battle members inclined at an angle to the vertical plane oi the passage.

6. ln a locomotive, the combinationot a steam generator, a cylinder, a steamv ipe, a separator disposed in said pipe and aving an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, means connected with the lower portion ot the inlet chamber for receiving the water y deposited therein, means for heating said receiving means, and a connection .from said receiving means to the upper portion of said inlet chamber.l Y

7. lna locomotive, the combination for a steamgenerator, a cylinder, a steam pipe, a separator disposed in said pipe and having an inlet chamber land an outletl chamber, and a steam generating coil having an inlet end connected with the lower portion oif said inlet chamber 'for 'receiving the water deposited therein and an outlet end connected with the up er portion of said inlet cha i ber vfor de ivering the generated steam thereto. l

8. ln alocomotive, the combination ot a steam generator, a cylinder, a steam pipe, a separator airanged in said pipe and'hav# ing an inlet chamber vand an outlet chamber battling Vmeans between said chambers, a steam generating coil having aninlet end connecte with the lower portion otr-said inlet chamber for receiving the water deposited therein and an outlet end connected with the upper portion of said, inlet cham# ber ior delivering the generated steam thereto. :9., lne locomotive, the' combination a 'steamgeneraton a cylinder, a steam pipe having a water separator. disposed therein, said separator including Va separating chamber having a waste outlet, and a steam chamr ber, 4a heating coil having its'inlet end communicating with the lower portion of the separating chamber and its deliveryV .end

communicating with the upperl portion of open the outlet when relieved of such pressure.

10. In a locomotive, the combination of a steam generator, a cylinder, a steam pipe, a water separator disposed in said pipe and having a'separating chamber and a steam chamber, said separating chamber being provided with a waste outlet, a heating coil disposed so as to be heated by products of combustion passing throu h a fire-tube, said c'oil having an inlet engl disposed to receive water from said separator and an outlet end disposed-to deliver generated steam thereto, land a valve for closing the lWaste outlet in the presence of steam pressure in the steam line and to open said outlet when such pressure ceases.

1'1. In a locomotive, the combination of a steam generator, a cylinder, a steam pipe connecting the generator with the cylinder, a separator disposed in said pipe and having a separating chamber and a steam chamber, means for withdrawing Water of condensation from the separating chamber and generating it into steam and returning it t'o the steam line for use, and a waste valve for maintaining water in the water chamber for assage to said steam generating means w en subjected to steam pressure in the steam line and operating on a removal' of steam pressure for venting the water from said water chamber.

12. In a locomotive, the combination of a steam generator, a cylinder, a steam pipe connecting the generator and cylinder, a separator in said pipe comprising a steam chamber upon the forward portion of 'the pipe communicating at its lower end with the delivery end ofthe pipe, and a separating chamber upon the rear portion of the pipe having a-Water trap at its lower end and communicating at i'ts upper end with the inlet end of said pipe, said chambers being in communication at their upper ends through a transverse passage, baffling means in said passage, a heating coil communicating at its inlet end with the Waste tra of the separating chamber and at its delivery end with 'the top portion of said chamber, and a'valve controlling the waste outlet from the water trap, said valve being adapted to automatically open in the absence of steam pressure within the separator and to be closed under pressure therein to retain water in the' Water chamber for passage to said coil.

In testimony whereof we aix our signaures.

COLUMBUS K. LASSITER JULIUS KINDERVATER. 

